NBA draft stock watch: Latest breakout players for 2020

Who are the latest risers and fallers in the 2020 NBA draft?

The shape of the draft changed yet again this past week, with Memphis Tigers big man and projected top-five pick James Wiseman withdrawing from college in the midst of an NCAA suspension. He will hire an agent and prepare for the draft, and we covered all of the implications of that decision here.

Beyond Wiseman, our NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz break down some potential first-rounders, second-rounders and sleepers making moves in ESPN's NBA draft rankings.

More: Top 100 NBA draft rankings

Makur Maker | 6-11 | PF/C | Age: 19.0

Overall ranking: No. 48

After quite a bit of back and forth, the NBA league office authorized teams to scout ESPN top-10 recruit Makur Maker's games in Las Vegas at the Tarkanian Classic. The last-minute decision came because of the presence of a teammate on the roster who is classified as a fifth-year high school postgraduate.

This fall, Maker submitted paperwork to become NBA draft-eligible, since he is 19 and one year removed from his original high school graduating class. Thus far, the NBA has indicated he won't be ruled eligible since he is classified as a high school senior, sources say. But after the way Maker performed in Vegas, in front of representatives from nearly all 30 teams, the NBA's final ruling might not matter as much.

Coming off a Grade 2 ankle sprain that sidelined him for nearly a month, Maker looked out of shape and lackadaisical defensively. He mostly settled for jump shots and didn't dominate the extremely low level of competition, drawing a chorus of groans from the many decision-makers who were watching him for the first time.

Maker's body, featuring thick hips and skinny legs, made it easy for opponents to dislodge him in the post. He had a difficult time playing above the rim, struggled to make basic catches and looked content turning himself into a one-dimensional jump-shooter. It will be difficult for Maker to be considered better than a second-round pick at this point.

Maker will have a chance to improve his stock in April at the Nike Hoop Summit (his camp says he has already been invited), but he appears far more likely to be on track to attend college, since his chances of being a lottery selection look remote. Maker has proved to be a much better prospect in other settings, impressing with his ability to shoot off the dribble at his size. He will have opportunities to show that to NBA executives as his conditioning improves, but his experience in Las Vegas was a disappointment. -- Givony

Onyeka Okongwu | 6-9 | C | Age: 19.0

Overall ranking: No. 15

Okongwu has emerged as one of the most productive players in the NCAA and a clear lottery talent in a draft with little consensus among bigs outside of James Wiseman. He ranks eighth in the country in player efficiency rating (39.2), with eye-popping per-40-minute averages of 26.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 4.5 blocks while shooting 63.7% from 2 and 72.1% from the foul line.

Okongwu first burst onto the scene as a high school freshman playing alongside the Ball brothers, and he really stood out in preseason practices for USC. More of an acquired taste for some scouts as a 6-foot-9 center who doesn't space the floor, Okongwu has been just short of dominant through 11 games, without needing a huge offensive role to make an impact.

While the fact that he can score with his back to the basket is a big reason he has been so productive, Okongwu's true NBA intrigue lies on the defensive end. He has outstanding timing in the paint as a rim-protector and has shown the ability to switch onto guards, while also understanding how to drop in pick-and-rolls. Even at his size, he can elevate and snatch defensive rebounds in traffic. He plays hard, with the instincts and incredible quick-leaping ability to fit in the modern game -- even if he does get buried in the post by traditional centers.

Offensively, Okongwu plays a simple game. He does a lot of his damage in the paint on offensive rebounds, post-ups and at-rim finishes, with great hands and touch. What makes Okongwu most intriguing is his feel for the game. He handles double-teams with patience and passes well. He rarely takes a bad shot and even has the natural touch to potentially take and make occasional 3s down the line. On top of that, he doesn't really need the ball to have an impact.

He might not have the same upside appeal as Wiseman, but it wouldn't be shocking to look back in a few years and see Okongwu as the most impactful center from this draft. Although not quite as bouncy, he holds some similar strengths and weaknesses to Bam Adebayo. -- Schmitz

Kaleb Wesson | 6-9 | C | Age: 20.4

Overall ranking: No. 27

Easily the most valuable player for Ohio State, Wesson showed it's time to take him seriously as a draft prospect with strong performances against NCAA powerhouses Kentucky, North Carolina and Villanova to start the season. Wesson weighed 316 pounds just prior to his 17th birthday at a USA Basketball camp in 2016, but he has lost more than 60 pounds since. NBA scouts saw him play in excellent condition against Kentucky over the weekend.

Wesson is a game-changer at the college level with his unique skills on the perimeter and in the paint. He is a magnet for fouls in the post with his outstanding footwork, body control and ability to turn to either shoulder, allowing his team to live in the bonus. But he's also a 46% 3-point shooter on a fairly high volume -- adept at attacking closeouts smoothly, passing on the move and demonstrating soft touch, making him one of the better pick-and-roll targets in the college game.

Normally a player of Wesson's size would be viewed as a defensive liability, and he definitely has some questions to answer on that end of the floor. But he is pretty nimble, as you regularly see him hedging pick-and-rolls out well past the 3-point line. He's not afraid to switch onto guards, either. Wesson has turned himself into a respectable rim-protector this season (2.5 blocks per 40 minutes), a testament to his terrific instincts. His 7-foot-3 wingspan helps there.

Wesson fouled out of the Kentucky game in only 23 minutes and had some issues rebounding and finishing in traffic. Being one of the younger juniors in the country, Wesson still has room to grow as a prospect as his body improves. In the meantime, he is someone scouts will need to take seriously in this draft, something that hasn't quite happened yet based on conversations with NBA teams. Players such as Marc Gasol and Nikola Jokic have shown that it's possible to be difference-makers in the NBA with similar body types.

Wesson has moved into the top 30 of ESPN's NBA draft rankings. -- Givony

Corey Kispert | 6-7 | F | Age: 20.8

Overall ranking: No. 50

One of the most efficient players in the nation on arguably college basketball's top team, Kispert has worked his way onto the draft radar thanks to his size, shooting and all-around game. Gonzaga's second-leading scorer, Kispert is one of only four players in the country shooting over 60% from 2 and 40% from 3 on a minimum of five attempts per game.

Kispert has improved each season in Spokane, Washington, and should continue to grow on NBA scouts given his ability to space the floor, defend with physicality and make simple reads on offense. He regularly catches on the hop with an excellent base and elevates into his jumper out of a variety of actions. While he's most capable playing off of closeouts, he has become more comfortable attacking the rim in a straight line when chased off his spots -- even finishing with floaters in the lane. He's an above-average leaper off two feet as well, surprising opponents by flushing home occasional lobs in transition. He's not the most shifty athlete or advanced ball handler, nor is he a standout passer, but he knows his skills, keeps the ball moving and has real role-player potential.

Kispert continues to improve on the defensive end as well, where his competitive nature, strength and feel allow him to more than hold his own, even sliding all the way up to the 4 spot.

He's likely not someone you ask to contain the league's elite guards or wings given his somewhat thick frame and average length, but he really battles on switches and knows where to be off the ball. Should Gonzaga make a national title run with Kispert as arguably its most important player, he could certainly rise and even sniff the back end of the first round. -- Schmitz

Saddiq Bey | 6-8 | SF/PF | Age: 20.7

Overall ranking: No. 36

One of the biggest breakout performers of the season, Bey has doubled his scoring average from last season (up to 16.3 points per game) while increasing his efficiency (57% true shooting percentage to 65%), helping Villanova reestablish itself as a top-10 team in college basketball. He's intriguing as a multipositional forward who sees quite a bit of time with the ball in his hands, shooting 44% from 3 and 84% from the free throw line. He has an NBA body and a wingspan close to 7 feet.

On a team that doesn't have a primary ball handler or playmaker at PG, Bey is often tasked with bringing the ball up and playing pick-and-roll, which is extremely beneficial for his long-term development. He drives with his head up, can see over the top of defenses and is an unselfish player with a fairly high basketball IQ.

He mostly relies on his size, strength and physicality as a means of creating offense, drawing plenty of fouls but also showing nice craftiness with his finishing around the rim. Without a consistent pull-up jumper or reliable explosiveness, there are questions about how well his game will translate to the NBA. Similarly, he's mostly a set shooter who sports fairly unconventional mechanics and struggles without time or space. He looks a little heavy-footed covering ground at times defensively, getting beaten off the dribble, but he has the ability to get back into plays thanks to his long wingspan.

It's likely Bey's gaudy offensive efficiency comes down to earth as the season progresses. Nevertheless, he has shown he's a prospect NBA scouts will need to take seriously either this season or next. -- Givony

Kahlil Whitney | 6-7 | F | Age: 18.9

Overall ranking: No. 38

An RSCI top-20 recruit and one of the more physically gifted prospects in his high school class, Whitney has struggled mightily to find his footing with Kentucky. He is trending closer toward a second-round flier than the lottery selection he entered the season as.

At 6-foot-7, 210 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan, the 18-year-old Whitney has an ideal physical profile for an NBA wing, but his lack of offensive skill, shaky defensive feel and overall inconsistency have earned him a short leash under coach John Calipari. Coming off the bench, Whitney didn't swing momentum back in his favor during the Wildcats' loss to Utah, fouling out in 16 minutes, before scoring just two points in 13 minutes in another loss against Ohio State.

Whitney was losing steam over the course of his senior season in high school and looked out of place at times during McDonald's All American week and the Jordan Brand Classic. But the Chicago native saved his stock with a bounce-back showing at Nike Academy, looking the part physically against a handful of NBA players and opening eyes with explosiveness. On a Kentucky team that lacks shooting, there's been little room for Whitney to use his athleticism effectively as a slasher. He's not a skilled ball handler or facilitator, and his game is much more suited for the open NBA.

For him to really find a way to stick at the next level, he'll need to prove he can make spot 3s, yet his 4-for-13 3-point clip, 9-for-19 free throw total and elongated stroke don't inspire much confidence. On top of that, Whitney hasn't been a lockdown defender. Given his age, physical profile and the tendency to give long-armed wings more cracks at sticking in the NBA, it's far from over for Whitney. But he'll need to show some type of progress over the next few months to reemerge as a first-round prospect, or he should really start thinking about coming back for his sophomore year. -- Schmitz

Jared Butler | 6-3 | PG/SG | Age: 20.3

Overall ranking: No. 46

The Baylor guard has absolutely exploded in his sophomore season, currently posting per-40-minute averages of 24 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals while shooting a scorching 42% from 3 and 90% from the free throw line. Butler is an unconventional prospect, not featuring outstanding physical tools at just 6-foot-3 with an even wingspan and small hands. He's a somewhat reluctant passer with an occasionally wild style of play.

His scoring instincts have to be respected, though, as he's a relentless slasher who shows tremendous creativity as a finisher with both hands and impressive shotmaking ability off the bounce. Baylor coach Scott Drew has given him a fairly long leash to create offense out of pick-and-rolls and isolations, something that has helped the team get off to a 9-1 start with victories over Villanova, Arizona and Butler.

Butler is a physical and instinctual defender who takes great pride in getting right up into opponents, sliding his feet and contesting jumpers all over the floor. He has no issue switching onto bigger players and containing them in the post or on the perimeter, suggesting he can likely survive guarding shooting guards in the NBA despite not possessing great length.

Butler's production has fluctuated quite a bit since the start of the season, which makes sense considering his late-blooming trajectory and at-times ambitious confidence. He still has room to improve his passing ability, decision making and shot selection, as he will likely need to become a better facilitator to transition to being an NBA combo guard. Butler has done a nice job of putting himself on NBA radars, even if he might not end up maximizing his stock until his junior season heading into the 2021 draft. -- Givony

Killian Tillie | 6-10 | PF | Age: 21.6

Overall ranking: No. 45

After being limited to only 15 games last season (foot injury) and missing the first four games of his senior campaign (knee surgery), Tillie has reminded NBA scouts why he was so touted as a youngster with his versatile, efficient all-around play.

He checks several boxes on both ends, posting career-best per 40 averages of 21.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals while shooting 56.1% from 2 and 36.1% from 3 as one of Gonzaga's most integral pieces. Tillie spaces the floor comfortably off the catch, has soft touch on jump hooks and floaters inside the paint, makes smart reads as a passer and moves well guarding the perimeter. He also possesses sound verticality at the rim.

He showed off his defensive versatility against Jaden McDaniels in a road win over Washington and drilled a backbreaking 3 from well beyond NBA range in one of his most complete games as a collegiate player. Tillie played two of his best games when it mattered most against Washington (15 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals) and Michigan (20 points in 25 minutes).

The fact that Tillie doesn't need the ball in his hands to have a positive impact makes him an ideal role player. For scouts, it's all about whether his thin frame can hold up, along with his medical testing results. He's proved extremely brittle throughout his college career, with a laundry list of lower-extremity issues. If Tillie can make it through the rest of the season continuing to play at this level, he could turn out to be a second-round steal with the ability to step into an NBA game from Day 1. -- Schmitz

Dantez Walton | 6-6 | SF/PF | Age: 21.9

Overall ranking: No. 80

Seemingly every season an under-the-radar player from a smaller conference emerges as a potential NBA prospect. One candidate to draw serious interest as a draft pick in 2020 or as a two-way contract prospect is Northern Kentucky's Walton, who is posting impressive per-40 averages of 26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block while shooting a scintillating 66% from 2 and 45% from 3.

Walton plays power forward for Northern Kentucky but sees a significant amount of playmaking responsibility on the perimeter. He can even get away with playing some small-ball center thanks to his strong frame, above-average wingspan and impressive rebounding prowess. Walton's basketball instincts and versatility stand out the most, as he plays with outstanding pace, rarely looks sped up and can score from all over the floor.

Coming into this season, Walton was a career 29% 3-point shooter and 62% foul shooter, leading some to wonder if his hot shooting through nine games is indeed sustainable. It might be a bit until we get some answers to that, as Walton recently suffered a chest injury that might cause him to miss multiple games, though it shouldn't prevent him from returning to the floor during Northern Kentucky's conference slate. Teams also will want to get a better feel for his lateral quickness and ability to guard perimeter players, something that is difficult to gauge at the moment due to his team mostly playing a zone defense.

Walton is solidifying himself as a prospect NBA teams will want to take a closer look at during the pre-draft process, likely starting at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where several seniors have had breakout showings. Continuing to be productive and helping his team win will go a long way in enhancing his pro prospects. -- Givony